First Student, among the largest school transportation providers, is hitting the road again to promote safe bus behavior through its nationwide Safety Dog Bus Tour. The program uses fun and interactive activities to teach bus riding basics to elementary school students.

The Safety Dog Bus Tour kicked off Oct. 5 in Warwick, Rhode Island, and will travel across North America during the 2023-24 school year. Some other school districts First Student’s safety mascot will visit include:

• Andover Public Schools in Andover, Kan.

• Millcreek Township School District in Erie, Pa.

• Porterville Unified School District in Porterville, Calif.

• Memphis-Shelby County Schools in Memphis, Tenn.

“At First Student, we are committed to providing the safest ride to school and home,” said Darryl Hill, First Student senior vice president of safety and security. “The Safety Dog Bus Tour teaches students effective safety tips in a memorable way, helping to ensure they feel comfortable and secure on our school buses. We look forward to delivering this important message in partnership with the school districts we serve.”

School buses are the safest way for children to and from school. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, school buses are approximately 70 times safer than passenger cars.

During Safety Dog Bus Tour stops, students learn how to be a safe bus rider through various hands-on activities. They receive a safety demonstration on the school bus, sign a safety pledge, have a photo taken with Safety Dog and get a special gift bag to remember the information shared during the event.

There have been more than 45 stops on the Safety Dog Bus Tour to date. Nearly 14,000 students have signed the safety pledge.